The Honor of Service

Those men and women who have served in the uniform of their country are not the same as others. The difference doesn't show. There is no special behavior that sets them aside. They do not talk or act in ways that mark them as not the same as others. You cannot tell them from the general population. But they are different.

They bear themselves with a secret pride. These men and women who left their homes to don the uniforms of soldiers or sailors or marines or airmen or coast guardsmen are aware as others are not of the value and meaning of their service. Those who gave some of their precious years to maintaining the nation's readiness to repel any who might dare attack us or our installations around the world know what they have done for their fellow Americans. And there is a light glowing within them, unseen by any, that keeps the memories of their service alive.

I did it, they say to themselves. I served. When the nation needed me, I went. I did what the country needed me to do. I went where there was trouble, served where there was a need for my service. I saved my countrymen from the loss of their freedom and self-government and the opportunities they have. I helped save the way of life they have enjoyed for many years, with human liberties unknown through most of the world. So say the veterans to themselves.

I gave my time and effort, and much more, so my fellow Americans can live as they do, with no one to rule over them and dictate to them how they must live.

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And, they say to themselves, I'm glad I did.

Today the nation honors its veterans. It pays homage to them all, those with their service fresh in their minds and those who served many years ago but still have their memories, and those no longer among us.

Today the country honors them all and calls attention to the service they gave. Their countrymen pay homage to them, to those who went and stood ready and those who served in support positions and those who knew the hell of combat and felt the inexpressible fear of enemy fire, saw comrades suffer and die and still wonder how they themselves escaped death.

The custom of honoring veterans began after the first World War in a proclamation President Woodrow Wilson signed in 1919. It set aside the anniversary of the day that war ended, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918. It was known as Armistice Day for the day when the fighting stopped with an armistice, not a full capitulation by the enemy. It was known by that name until 1954 when President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the new name for the day and Congress passed legislation confirming the day of remembrance in law.

There will be speeches and memorial celebrations, but Veterans Day is not to honor those who died in the nation's wars, but all those who served at any time. There will be universal recognition of the veterans for what they did, their readiness to go when needed. And if their chests swell a little with pride, unseen by others, they have good reason.

Not everyone has the opportunity to serve his country. Most people go through their lives without the gift of their time and effort to the cause of keeping the country secure. Others join up and stay to make a career of service and become the backbone of our military force.

The country is better for its veterans.

Let us salute our veterans today and thank them for making it possible to have all we have, in liberty and wealth and the kind of personal freedoms that few people who ever walked on the earth have known.

Robert Reed, 92, served at the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. He is a former Sun editorial writer.

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